Summary

Disney and Pixar often come to intellect when discuss exalt pic , butDreamWorksandIlluminationare the studios that have overlook the sensitive over the last X . It make sense that so many moviegoers ' minds jump to the former studios when thinking of animated releases . After all , Disney and Pixar have put out some of the most iconic invigorate movies of all time , fromThe Lion KingtoToy Story . However , while they ’ve continued to tell story in recent year , DreamWorks and Illumination have surpassed them legion times .

DreamWorks and Illumination have delivered some of the most successful liberation of the decade asDisney and Pixar shin . Disney has had a few success over the retiring 10 years , but it ’s also present numerous floating-point operation , specially when it comes to Pixar . Although Pixar is the studio behind many dear picture , its performance in recent age is worrisome — peculiarly when one look at how well competition have fared during the same metre period .

DreamWorks & Illumination Had More Success Than Disney & Pixar The Past 10 Years

Disney and Pixar have struggled to hit high box office numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic , while picture likePuss in boot : The Last WishandThe Super Mario Bros. Moviehave proven that DreamWorks and Illumination can imbibe crowds . The Super Mario Bros. Movieis one of just six filmsto make more than $ 1 billion at the box office since 2020 , and it most dethronedFrozen 2as the highest - grossing enliven film of all time . Its succeeder bodes well for Illumination ’s hereafter , whileThe Last Wish ’s telling $ 481 million boxful office — and that’switha speedy streaming release — promises handsome thing for DreamWorks .

Frozenis perhaps Disney ’s full-grown success of the last decade , but the studio ’s deficiency of other popular serial is secern . While DreamWorks pump out newShrekspinoffs , moreDespicable MeandMinionsmovies , and yet anotherKung Fu Panda , Disney is counting on moreFrozensequels to last out afloat . Disney’sWishhas see disappointing boxwood officereturns , and its alive - action undertaking likeThe Little MermaidandHaunted Mansionhaven’t make out much better . Meanwhile , Pixar has had multiple box office bombsin the past few year , andnot even aToy Storyspinoff withCaptain Americastar Chris Evans voicing the title character was able to turn thing around .

Lightyear ’s box office failurewas telling when it came to the DoS of the animation studio apartment . However , Pixar ’s original releases likeTurning Red , Onward , andSouldidn’t perform much good . certain , several of them face pandemic - era struggles . However , that did n’t stop DreamWorks and Illumination from making a retort when theaters reopen . OnlyElementalmanaged to turn things around for Pixar , and there ’s no singing whether that ’s lasting .

Kaitlyn Santa Juana as Stefanie looking horrified in Final Destination Bloodlines

What DreamWorks & Illumination Has Done Better Than Disney & Pixar

Putting Disney ’s and Pixar ’s failures side by side with DreamWorks and Illumination ’s success , there are a pair thing the former studios could do better . For one , Disney ’s approach to Pixar picture — which take care most of them released on Disney+ after 2020 — has taken away part of what made Pixar unloose so exciting . Pixar film likeToy StoryandFinding Nemoused to be result , incite moviegoer to channelize out to theater and watch them . Now interview are starting to associate Pixar movies with streaming — and potentially with a lesser tone .

DreamWorks also does a better job at keep up with its original franchises , guarantee that sequels and spinoffs keep the upheaval perish long after the first successful picture debuts . While Disney is for sure doing this withFrozenandToy Story , it ’s a admiration the studio has n’t bothered to liberate aMoana or Encantosequel to capitalize on either movie ’s success . Likewise , several of Pixar ’s biggest hits do n’t have multiple subsequence and spinoffs . AnotherIncrediblesmovie would doubtlessly wrench the studio ’s box billet woes around , as would anything involvingFinding Nemo , Ratatouille , orWall - E.EvenElemental 2isn’t confirmed yet despite a sequel being in high requirement .

Will DreamWorks & Illumination Continue Their Animation Dominance?

Although Disney and Pixar could have a retort , DreamWorks and Illumination have many exciting release on the horizon . As such , it ’s probable both studios will keep up their animation authority , do as well as — if not better than — Disney and Pixar . Kung Fu Panda 4andShrek 5alone are enough to keepDreamWorksat the top , andIlluminationhas ample opportunity if it adapts more Nintendo IP.The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2would be a promising add-on to its batting order , as would an animatedKirbyorAnimal Crossingmovie . With their built - in fan bases , such projects would turn up a menace to Disney and Pixar even if they were n’t struggling .

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A collage featuring Puss in Boots, Mario from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Po from Kung Fu Panda

Mario and Luigi from The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Buzz Lightyear’s head superimposed over the Disney castle.